Confident of winning the Lok Sabha election for the third time in a row, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari looks forward to giving an extra-special impetus to growth and development of the region in tune with the national blue-print. Sharing his inspirations and aspirations with ‘The Hitavada’ team during a visit on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency stated candidly that the Vidarbha region is poised for a quantum leap in economic growth in the next few years. He said, he looks forward to a great growth trajectory in the Gadchiroli area powered by steel sector. Gadkari looked relaxed and clear about his vision for Nagpur, his poll strategy, his thinking about people’s connect. Emphasising Gadchiroli’s potential to put the region on the global map, Gadkari said he looked forward to a growth trajectory, powered by steel sector, in Gadchiroli area. “The volumes of iron ore Gadchiroli has are in such quantities that it can become world’s top supplier of iron ore. The district has already got a facelift with the development that BJP has brought about. The tribals in this area had been away from development in the past. Our Government brought a lot of schemes to make them a part of the mainstream development, which changed their lives.

 

The issue of Naxalism had been haunting them for decades. And, the main reason behind this menace was increasing unemployment. Youngsters remained idle, and so got diverted to Naxalism. The solution to this lied in generating employment. The investment was increased, a lot of developmental projects were started. We insisted on starting industries to accommodate local people. This has changed the picture. With employment generation, the problems minimised,” elaborated Gadkari with a smile of satisfaction. Revealing his plans for the next five years, Gadkari said, “MIHAN is growing and we are very sure that in next two years, it will wear a complete new look. Rafael has come, Falcon will be manufactured here, already filled, Maintenance Repairing and Overhauling (MRO) at MIHAN are working with full force. A lot of aircraft, including IndiGo, giving a top choice to the MRO at Nagpur. We want to make Nagpur an Aviation hub, and an education hub.”

 

According to Gadkari, no space remained in MIHAN for new industry unit, so he has suggested acquiring new land near Gumgaon to the State Government. MIHAN can be expanded at a new location, he said. Except a few, no international flight has started its operations at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Aiport. Gadkari believed that tourism was one element that could increase the international flights. “A lot of people are coming to this region to see tigers. This area can be given a boost by creating various facilities such resorts and multiple modes of transport,” pointed out Gadkari. “I am contemplating to develop Ambhora, Pench, Umred as good tourist spots. The encouragement to set up resorts can attract tourists to these areas. The tourism sector has the capacity to generate huge employment as it connects a lot of small and big professions,” commented Gadkari. Vidarbha tops in the country as far as production of cotton is concerned; now this cotton can be sent outside using Sindi dryport that came up recently, he said.

 

Gadkari said, he had plans to develop rail network on the lines of road network, including bypass routes. “We can have rail bypass route for goods trains. Nagpur is in the centre of railway network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. We can use that advantageous position to provide easy transport facility to the industry,” he suggested. During the interaction, Gadkari came up with several new ideas. It was he who introduced the ‘Advantage Vidarbha’ activity to Nagpur. Similarly, during his tenure as MP of Nagpur, Gadkari started activities such as Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav, Jyestha Nagrik Mahotsav, Krida Mahotsav, with all of those evoking huge response from all strata of the people. Gadkari is known for his social connect with the people of all walks. Apart from campaigning for himself, he wants to go out for the campaigning of other candidates. “I never see election politically but it helps me to increase my people’s network. Holding dialogues with people gives me energy. I shall definitely go to other parts of the country to campaign the candidates of our party,” Gadkari made it clear. Earlier Rajendra Purohit, Managing Director of ‘The Hitavada’ and Vijay Phanshikar, Editor, welcomed Nitin Gadkari with a bouquet.